U.S. 12 and 20 present some challenging intersections for motorists as they wind through the town of Porter.
For those who drive to Porter Beach on Waverly Road, crash data supports that the crossing at U.S. 12 is the most dangerous intersection in town.
Sightlines for motorists traveling north on Waverly Road are difficult because eastbound traffic on U.S. 12 is coming fast out of a curve. Traffic from the Cleveland-Cliffs plant off U.S. 12 can be heavy at times during the day.
The Indiana Department of Transportation recognizes the issue and is in the midst of installing flashers, officially known as an Intersection Conflict Warning System, said Cassie Bajek, an INDOT spokeswoman.
The way it works is that the flashing lights on both sides of Waverly Road will alert motorists about approaching vehicles on U.S. 12.
One study for the town of Porter recommended a roundabout as a more permanent solution for the Waverly Road intersection at U.S. 12. But that is years down the road.
Along with the Waverly Road intersection, the North Mineral Springs Road intersection on U.S. 12 is also getting a conflict warning system.
Meanwhile, INDOT staff, equipped with crash and traffic data, recently spent the day walking the U.S. 20 corridor between Tremont Road in Porter through Burns Harbor to Salt Creek Road.
Bajek said INDOT is planning a major pavement replacement project in 2032, so the goal is to simultaneously enact high-value safety improvements.
Michael Barry, Porter’s development director and building superintendent, accompanied INDOT officials in their examination of U.S. 20.
Barry said that INDOT had planned last year to do a road striping project on U.S. 20, particularly around the Oak Hill Road intersection. The road slants across U.S. 20 and is a high accident area. However, the state ran out of money for that project.
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Oak Hill Road residents, upset after a neighbor was seriously hurt in a crash at the intersection, petitioned the Porter Town Council in September 2024, asking that the town close Oak Hill Road at both sides of U.S. 20. The council rejected that idea.
However, Council President William Lopez, D-Ward 3, later proposed that the town only permit right turns from Oak Hill Road onto U.S. 20.
Barry said that he asked INDOT officials to place the signage. He said that there were also discussions about installing right-turn lane delineators as an added safety measure.
Bajek said that no decision has been made, but the state could help the town with safety improvements for Oak Hill Road at U.S. 20 before 2032.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.